Program Overview

Hydrology Program

Overview

The Hydrology program at the University of California, Davis, is designed to address concerns related to the most fundamental of all natural resources: water. Hydrologists seek to solve problems that affect the sustainability of water quantity and quality. Hydrologic science is the study of water in all its aspects, including weather, river basins, groundwater, glaciers, lakes, streams, permafrost, and water vapor.

Major Requirements

At the lower division level, students complete foundational courses in mathematics, natural sciences, and basic concepts of engineering. At the upper division, students choose an area of concentration: surface hydrology, hydrogeology, remote sensing, water management, or water quality. Depending on the special concentration, students may focus more intensively on running water, groundwater, water contamination and restoration, or the use of computers and other technological systems in hydrology.

Careers

• Hydrologist
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Hydrogeologist
  • Limnologist
  • Wastewater Treatment Planner
  • Water Hygiene Engineer
  • Water Policy Analyst
  • Water Quality Specialist
  • Water Resources Engineer

Graduate Study

• Hydrological sciences
• Water resource management
• Water resources engineering
• Environmental sciences
• Conservation sciences

Alumni Employers

• United States Geological Survey
• United States Department of Agriculture
• United States Forest Service
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
• California Departments of Water Resources

Related Degrees

• Environmental Science and Management
• Civil Engineering
• Geology

Program Features

• Internship opportunities
• Course roadmap
• Faculty research projects and labs
• Global learning programs
• Undergraduate research opportunities
• Career connections and resources